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PPEAL OP REV. REEDER SMITH 



IN BEHALF OP 



FOUNDED IN 1848 BY 



HON. A. A. LAWKENCE AND HON. SAMUEL APPLETON, 



OF BOSTON, MA88ACHU8ETTI 



WITH A CORRECT MAP OF WISCONSIN 



SHOWING DISTANCES TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACES; ALL ITS RAILROADS, AND 

THE GREAT THOROUGHFARE FOR STEAMERS FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE 

TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, PASSING THE UNIVERSITY. 



PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UNIVERSITY, BY REQUEST OF 
MANY FRIENDS AND CONTRIBUTORS. 




BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED BY JOHN P. JEWETT & CO. 

No. 20 Washington Street. 

1859. 



APPEAL OP REV. REEDER SMITH 



IN BEHALF OF 



<F. 



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1 



FOUNDED IN 1848 BY 



HON. A. A. LAWRENCE AND HON. SAMUEL APPLETON, 



OF BOSTON, M A S8A C HUSETTI 



WITH A CORRECT MAP OF WISCONSIN, 

SHOWING DISTANCES TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACES ; ALL ITS RAILROADS, AND 

THE GREAT THOROUGHFARE FOR STEAMERS FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE 

TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, PASSING THE UNIVERSITY. 



PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UNIVERSITY, BY REQUEST OF 
MANY FRIENDS AND CONTRIBUTORS. 



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BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY JOHN P. JEWETT & CO., 

No. 20 Washington Street. 

1859. 



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OFFICIAL LETTER OF INTRODUCTION 



The bearer, Rev. Reeder Smith, by whose efficient labors Lawrence Uni- 
versity was established in 1848, has kindly volunteered to aid the Trustees to 
raise $10,000 to re-build the Female and Preparatory Department, recently 
destroyed by fire, and $20,000 to complete the endowment of the principal 
chairs of the University. 

He, and the cause he serves, are earnestly commended to the sympathies 
and generous aid of those, in the older and richer States, friendly to the cause 
of education in the West. 

ANSON BALLARD, 

JAMES M. PH1NNEY, 

F. M. McCAUGHEY, 

WILLIAM RORK, 

A. B. JACKSON, 

DANIEL C. JENNE, 

EDWARD WEST, 

Trustees and Members of Joint Board. 



EDWARD COOKE, President of Faculty, 
R. Z. MASON, Professor of Natural Philosophy, 
II. POME ROY, Professor of Civil Engineering, 
L. L. KNOX, Prof. Ancient Lang, and Literature, 

Faculty. 



J. II. JENNE, 

Presiding Elder of Appleton District. 



Lawrence University, Appleton, Jan., 1859. 



CkO. C. RjUTD & Avi;i;v, PBUTTBOS. 3 CoKNIIII.I., BOSTOX. 



PREFACE 



The following pages are designed as a brief epitome of an educational 
enterprise now denominated the Lawrence University of Wisconsin, founded 
by Hon. A. A. Lawrence and Hon. Samuel Appleton, of Boston, in 1848; 
the object of which is, to give a faithful representation of its progress from 
its commencement to the present time, its present crippled condition through 
loss by fire, and the urgent necessity that immediate relief be afforded by the 
liberal to re-build and still further endow an institution, than which no other 
has greater facilities for accomplishing so great an amount of good in this 
rapidly populating portion of our beloved country. 



CONTENTS 



Official Letter of Introduction, 2 

Introduction 5 

Bishop Potter's Advice 6 

Dr. J. S. Stone's Concurrence and Donation 7 

Recommendations of Bishops and other Divines 7 

A- A. Lawrence's Proposition to Rock River Conference ... 8 

A. A. Lawrence's Opinion of the Methodist Episcopal Church . . 8 

Resolution of Rock River Conference inviting R. Smith to endow, etc. . 8 

Action of Preachers' Meeting in New York City 10 

Division of Rock River Conference, and Creation of Wisconsin Con- 
ference 10 

Resolution of Wisconsin Conference accepting University and appoint- 
ing Agent 10 

Resolution voting thanks to R. Smith for securing Donation . . .10 

Amendment of Charter 10 

Wisconsin Conference at Plattville appointing R. Smith General Fi- 
nancial Agent 10 

Erection of first Buildings 1 

Appointment of Edward Cooke, D.D., President 1 

Main College Building, Size and Cost 1 

Number of Students at the time of the fire 1 

Burning of Female Department 1 

Reason for Non-Insurance 1 

Report of Joint Board at Commencement 1 

Rev. R. Smith's Donation to Joint Board 12 

Response of Joint Board 12 

Dr. Cooke's Commendatory Note for Aid in the East . . . .12 
Communication in " Christian Advocate and Journal " . . . .13 

Appeal of Trustees and Faculty 13 

Communication proposing A. A. Lawrence as Recipient of Benefactions 

Plea for immediate Aid to re-build and endow 15 

Opinions of Gov. Seymour, Hon. Edward Everett, Dr. Tyng, Bishop 
Clarke, Bishop Janes, Pres't Walker of Harvard University, Pres't 

Sears of Brown University 18 

Dr. Lothrop's Letter 22 

D. C. Jenne's Report 22 

Advantages of Appleton 23 



fpwww* ItatomitM $i tyBlmwlu. 



Friends of Education, — 

Please read the following statement, and consider its merits, and allow me 
to give you farther information on the importance of your aid and the 
strength of this claim. Do not decide, until you investigate the nature of this 
subject, by weighing the facts, in the brief history which follows, by which 
my statement is sustained. 

The Lawrence University, of Wisconsin, was founded at Appleton, by 
Messrs. A. A. Lawrence and Samuel Appleton, of Boston, in 1848 — was organ- 
ized by Pres. Edward Cooke, D.D., in 1853, and has graduated two classes — 
furnished sixty-five teachers and four ministers. Cost of college building, 
$30,000 ; cost of preparatory building, $10,000. The latter was destroyed by 
fire in 1858, without insurance,* at a time when three hundred and thirty 
students were in attendance, two hundred of which number were in the 
Preparatory and Female Department. 

This claim appeals to you for aid to rebuild, and you are asked to give any 
portion of the $10,000 necessary, or any amount that can be spared by you, 
toward $20,000, for endowment, or $10,000, and name either the Female 
Collegiate Institute, or a Professorship. 

The Normal and Female Institute buildings, shown on the diagram of the 
University buildings, were designed by that most distinguished architect, 
G. J. F. Bryant, of Boston. The size of the main building is 8* X 50 feet, 
three stories in height. This building will cost, with the best management, 
$10,000, and must be had, to supply the place of the one burned. The one 
wing shown is 147 X 44 feet; at a probable cost of $15,000, designed for a 
boarding hall, which this University will require, at no distant day. 

The appeal of the Trustees and Faculty is as follows : 

The Lawrence University, of Wisconsin, suffered great loss when the 
building occupied by the Preparatory and Female Department was burned, 
having no insurance. There being, also, an imperative demand for increased 
endowment, the Trustees find themselves unable to discharge the pressing 
demands upon them, without assistance from the sagacious patriot and liberal 
Christian in the older and richer States. We, therefore, believing there is no 
educational enterprise more important or more worthy the aid of the Philan- 
thropist, or that has a stronger claim upon his benevolence, are impressed 
with the importance of the undertaking to raise $30,000, through Rev. 
Reeder Smith, our first financial agent, and the great necessity of the institu- 

* See page 11. 



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tion to the people of the North-west. We therefore earnestly commend him 
and this enterprise to the confidence and liberality of all, who can aid in the 
advancement of liberal education in the West. 

(Signed) MASON C. DARLING, Pres. of Board of Trustees of L. U. 
Edward Cooke, President of Faculty, &c, with names of other members of 
Board and Faculty. 

Of necessity, I am compelled to insist upon obtaining from your benevo- 
lence, relief. When you understand its merit and respond relief, you will be 
as grateful for the opportunity of affording it as the recipient of such relief. 
I hope you will not say, We have calls to answer nearer home. This 
call is now nearest you — it is conversing with you. God has brought it to 
your door, and is applying it to your heart. Do not say, " Go thou and be 
warmed," or " Go thy way for this time," but now give your aid in this relief. 
The present belongs to you, the future to God. You may not live to apply 
your aid to this or any other object in the future, and to what could your 
money be applied to accomplish as much ? Should you live, you may never 
have the means again that are in your possession to-day. 

" What thou doest, do quickly." 

" Cast thy bread upon the waters ; for thou shalt find it after many days." 

" Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." 

If you cannot give $10,000 you can give $10, which God will as soon ap- 
prove as of the giving of large amounts by those of large wealth. The silver 
is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord ; Hag. 2:8. As drops make up 
the ocean, so you can help make up $30,000 ; which amount MUST BE 
OBTAINED. You, as his treasurer, I trust, will read this appeal, and be 
ready to meet this draft on call. 

Most respectfully, 
Providence, R. I., June 4, 1859. REEDER SMITH. 

The enterprise of establishing this University, was the result of the advice 
and combined wisdom of the best men in the land. Bishop Alonzo Potter, 
of the Episcopal Church, wrote as follows : 

The Rev. Reeder Smith, agent for the Institute (now University) which 
has been so liberally endowed by my friend, Mr. Lawrence, of Boston, having 
done me the honor of consulting me in respect to the plan and incipient oper- 
ating of the Institution, I cheerfully state that I have advised that the begin- 
ning be made on a moderate scale, and at the least possible expense, that no 
attempt be made at first to organize more than the Preparatory Department, 
and that much attention be given to the preparation of teachers for common 
schools. 

Philadelphia, June 16, 1848. ALONZO POTTER. 

Dr. John S. Stone, of the same church, concurs, as follows : 

The subject of the foregoing note from Bishop Potter having been referred 

by Mr. Lawrence to me, in conjunction with the Bishop, it gives me pleasure 

to say, that I fully concur in the wisdom of the advice above given. 

JOHN S. STONE. 
Brooklyn, Oct. 28, 1848. 



The above note was accompanied by a donation of $100 for himself, and 
by his son, Rev. A. M. Morrison, of $500. 

Methodist Bishops and other clergy expressed their commendation, as 
follows : 

In pursuance of the benevolent design of Mr. Lawrence, the Legislature 
of Wisconsin, at its session in January, 1847, granted a charter to a college 
under the name of " The Lawrence Institute (now University) of Wiscon- 
sin," for the general education of youth at the West. In August of the same 
year, the offer of Mr. Lawrence and the charter from the Legislature were 
laid before " The Eock River Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church " in Wisconsin, and by that body favorably entertained and cordially 
approved. At the same time Rev. Reeder Smith, one of the trustees named 
in the charter, was requested to act for the Conference in procuring the 
means and adopting the measures necessary to the permanent establishment 
of the Lawrence Institute. For the same purpose, Mr. Smith was subse- 
quently and duly appointed agent of the Board of Trustees, while in all the 
aforenamed movements, he is known to have acted as Mr. Lawrence's repre- 
sentative, and in accordance with his wishes. 

In view of the facts above stated, with a profound impression of the impor- 
tance of such an institution at its designed location, and regarding Mr. Smith 
as well qualified for the agency in which he is engaged, the undersigned earn- 
estly commend him and the cause which he presents, to the confidence and 
liberality of all the friends of religion and learning, in that rapidly rising 
and most interesting portion of our country. 

E. HEDDING, } 

B. WAUGH, I Bishops of M. E. Church. 

EDMUND S. JANES, ) 

JOHN S. STONE, Rector of Christ Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

EDWARD N. KIRK, Pastor of Mt. Yernon Church, Boston. 

STEPHEN OLIN, President of Middletown University. 

JOHN DEMPSTER, President of Biblical Institute. 

ABEL STEVENS, Editor of Zion's Herald. 
April 5, 1848. 



Extract of a Report of " The Rock River Conference at Chicago," on re- 
ceiving a proposition from Mr. Lawrence, August 11, 1847, as follows : 

Rev. Reeder Smith, then financial agent of an institution at Albion, Michi- 
gan, came to Wisconsin, at the request of Mr. Lawrence, recommended by 
Bishop Janes and other bishops, with a proposition from Hon. A. A. Law- 
rence saying, I have conveyed the sum of $10,000 to trustees, to be held by 
them until an additional sum of $10,000 shall be raised for this purpose, and 
then to be paid over according to provisions named. 

An examination of the proposition was had in a convention called at Mil- 
waukie, Dec. 28, 1846. Mr. Smith was requested by that convention to 



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procure a charter from the Legislature, which was granted January, 1847. 
This Report adds, Mr. Lawrence is a gentleman entertaining enlarged views 
toward our denomination, and is entitled to the confidence and high respect 
of* this Conference. His confidence in the efficiency of Methodism in pro- 
moting education, may be understood by the sentiments expressed in his com- 
munication to the Rev. Reeder Smith, through whom, this proposition to 
grant Si 0,000 comes to us. He writes, as follows : 

" I have a high opinion of the adaptation of the principles of the Methodists 
to the people of the West, and I think, from all I can learn, that their insti- 
tutions are carried on with more vigor and diffuse more good with the same 
means, than any other. It seems to be decided by experience, that all literary 
institutions must be controlled by some sect, and efforts to prevent this, have 
often blasted their usefulness." In conclusion, he adds, "I trust, you will be 
able, to induce your Methodist brethren to take hold of this, and push it for- 
ward with the same vigor, as they do other things." On examination of the 
charter, Mr. Lawrence says, " I should prefer that the institution should be 
placed under the control of the Methodist, rather than any other, excepting 
my own church. I will cheerfully cooperate with them, in all that is necessary 
for its establishment and organization. In case you think it necessary, in 
order to concentrate some action upon this matter, I wish you would proceed 
at once to the Conference, now about to meet at Chicago, and, I trust, you 
will find immediate steps may be taken towards carrying it into effect. 

" Yours truly, 
" To Rev. Reeder Smith, August 4, 1847. AMOS A. LAWRENCE." 

RESOLUTIONS OF CONFERENCE. 

Resolved, That the noble act of liberality and Christian kindness of Amos 
A. Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, toward the population of the North-west, enti- 
tles him to the high expressions of gratitude from this Conference and our 
country, and that we will second and endeavor to carry out his benevolent 
designs, by all proper efforts to establish and sustain " The Lawrence Insti- 
tute, of Wisconsin," and by making it an efficient agent in the diffusion of 
sanctified learning in the West, and render it worthy of the name it bears; 
and that, we will endeavor, by all proper means, to extend our efforts to raise 
the amount for endowment to fifty thousand dollars. 

Resolved, That Rev. Reeder Smith have the thanks of this Conference, for 
his untiring efforts in our behalf, and that we invite him to bestow as much of 
his attention, and as soon as shall be compatible with his duties elsewhere, in 
procuring the necessary means, and also to adopt such other measures as may 
be necessary for the establishment of the Lawrence Institute. 

P. JUDSON, Sec'y of the Rock River Conference. 
Chicago, August 11, 1847. 

The Report of the Rock River Conference, Chicago, August 11,1847, 
acknowledges the reception of Mr. Lawrence's proposition, by the hands of 
the Agent of the Albion Institute, in Michigan, in which report he is invited 
to take the management of the Wisconsin College, in these words : " As soon 



as shall be compatible with his duties elsewhere, in procuring the means, and 
also to adopt such other measures as may be necessary for the establishment 
of the Lawrence Institute." 

The following communication indicates the leaving of that institution and 
Michigan, to comply wilh the invitation, November 3, 1847. 

Detroit, Mich., Nov. 3, 1847. 
Rev. Keeder Smith, — Sir : It is with great pleasure that I place in 
your hands the endorsed paper, signed by your personal friends, names of our 
most respectable citizens, who take a lively interest in the welfare of our 
common country, and the cause of education in our great West in particular. 
That you may continue to be a benefactor in promoting science and litera- 
ture by your agency in those institutions, and that you may long live to see 
the fruits of your labors, is the hearty wish of 

Your Friend, 

S. W. HIGGINS, 
One of the Executive Com. of the State Educational Society of the State of 

Michigan. 

Detroit, Mich., Nov. 2, 1847. 
To the Friends of Education : 

While the Seminary at Albion is already distinguished as a highly literary 
institution, being the result of noble and generous subscriptions from an en- 
lightened public, who are always the friends of education, yet the institution 
is beholden to the Rev. Reeder Smith, its successful and authorized agent, for 
the stability it has attained. 

We regret to learn, that Mr. Smith is about to leave our State, for the pur- 
pose of taking the management and supervision of a similar institution in 
Wisconsin, the " Lawrence Institute." 

The fidelity, success and ability of Mr. Smith, in his relations with the 
Albion Seminary, give ample warrant that the enterprise begun by the phil- 
anthropy of the gentleman after whom Wisconsin Institute is named, will 
terminate towards that institute, with entire success. 

We therefore recommend Mr. Smith to the confidence of the public, in 
behalf of the Lawrence Institute, wherever he may deem it necessary to 
travel in securing the interests of the same, throughout the United States. 
WM. L. GREENLY, Governor of Michigan. 
LEWIS CASS, M. C. 

C. G. HAMMOND, Col. Customs, Detroit, Michigan. 
ROSS WILKIN S, U. S. Judge, Dist. of Michigan. 

S. W. HIGGINS, U. S. Deputy Surveyor. 
J. II. HARMON, Editor of Free Press. 

D. V. BELL, Auditor General State of Michigan. 
GEO. B. COOPER, Treasurer State of Michigan. 

J. W. BROOKS, Gen. Supt. Mich. Central R. Road. 

C. C. TROWBRIDGE. 
G. KIMBALL. 

D. GOODWIN. 
2 



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EXTRACT FROM THE RESOLUTIONS OF PREACHERS' MEETING, N. Y. 

Resolved, That we consider such an institution of vital importance ; and, as 
Mr. Lawrence and the " Rock River Conference " have committed the cann- 
ing out of their wishes to Rev. Reeder Smith, who is one of the trustees and 
agent, &c, we commend Mr. Smith as every way trustworthy, and this 
object as one of great importance and entitled to public benevolence, having 
for its object, the diffusion of religious literature in a destitute and rapidly 
growing section, where it is most needed. 

S. MARTINDALE, Chairman. 

E. CRAWFORD, Secretary. 
No. 200 Mulberry st, N. Y., Dec. 4, 1847. 

The General Conference, since the action of the Rock River Conference, 
have divided this Conference, and created the Wisconsin Conference, which 
now meets to organize at Southport, Wis., July 18, 1848, at which time the 
following resolutions were adopted : 

ACTION OF WISCONSIN CONFERENCE. 

Resolved, By Wisconsin Annual Conference of the M. E. Church, that the 
thanks of this Conference be, and are hereby tendered to Rev. Reeder 
Smith, Agent of the Lawrence Institute, for his praiseworthy efforts in 
securing and presenting to this Conference, the liberal donation of Amos A. 
Lawrence, of Boston. 

Roolved, That we fully endorse the Report of the Committee on Educa- 
tion, as adopted by the Rock River Conference at its late session, and do 
hereby recommend and approve of the continuance of Rev. Reeder Smith, 
as Agent of Lawrence In:>titute, of Wisconsin, and he is hereby fully recom- 
mended to the confidence of those generous benefactors in the East, who take 
an interest in the religious and literary wants of the rapidly populating but 
destitute North-west. 

F. M. MILLS, 
Southport, July 18, 1848. Secretary Wisconsin Annual Conference. 

During this year, the charter was amended by the Legislature, constituting 
the Lawrence University of Wisconsin. 

The Wisconsin Conference, at the late session in Southport, made a 
thorough examination into all things pertaining to the Agency of Rev. 
Reeder Smith, for the Lawrence Institute of Wisconsin, and fully approved 
the same. 

THOMAS A. MORRIS, Bishop of M. E. Church. 
July 19, 1848. 

WISCONSIN CONFERENCE OF 1849, AT PLATTVILLE. 

EXTRACT OF RESOLUTION. 

Resolved, That we recommend the continuance of the Rev. Reeder Smith, 
as General Agent of the Lawrence University, and that he be, and is hereby, 
cordially recommended to the confidence and liberal attention of a generous 
public. 



11 

The above, shows that at this date, the Conference assumed and adopted 
the charter constituting a University, by appointing an Agent. 

During the year 1849 the first buildings were erected, and a Preparatory 
School organized. Edward Cooke, D. D., whose qualifications, for such a 
position, are rarely equalled, assumed the Presidency in 1853. There have 
since been associated with him five Professors of talent, constituting a Faculty 
of superior adaptation to their work. The number of students the first year 
was eighty-five. Since that time they have numbered four hundred and 
forty-five, making an average of two hundred and forty-five per year. The 
principal University building is constructed of stone, 60 x 120 feet, of five 
stories, including basement, and was erected at a cost of about $30,000. 
When this last building was completed, it was confidently hoped that, with the 
endowment and the large number of paying students, the able Faculty 
would be amply sustained, but the destruction of so large a portion of our 
buildings by fire has lessened the accommodations, and diminished the num- 
ber of students, and greatly lessens the income. When this fire occurred the 
attendance was as follows : — 

Males in College Course, 68 

Females in College Course, 61 

Males in Preparatory Course, 107 

Females in Preparatory Course, 95 

Total, ."331 

This fire occurred on % Sabbath evening, in midwinter, while all were at 
church, and, when discovered, no one could enter the building to remove the 
pianos or other furniture. 

The following statement is the apology of the officer having charge of the 
insurance : — 

New York, Oct. 23, 1858. 

To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

The Preparatory Building of the Lawrence University had been insured 
previous to its burning, and, before the expiration of the policy, I, as Treas- 
urer of the University, applied for a renewal of the policy, and was refused, 
on account of the risk. I made several subsequent applications, but, before 
I could succeed, the building burned. 

WM. H. SAMPSON. 



Extract from the Report of the Joint Board at Commencement, July 1st, 
1858: 

It is well known, that a few months since the building occupied by the 
Female Department was consumed by fire. Steps are now being taken to 
erect another. And, as means accumulate, such other buildings will be 
added, as the necessities of the University may require. During the Session 
of the Board, Rev. Reeder Smith sent in certain receipted claims which he 
held against the Board, together with deeds of certain lots of land, and a 
donation of bond and mortgage to the amount of $5000, making, in all, 



12 



$7000 or S8000; thus the good providence of God is opening our way, and 
indicating the future position of the Lawrence University. 

H. C. TILTON. 
Appleton, Wisconsin, July 1, 1858. 

Note accompanying the above donation. 
To the Joint Board of Trustees and Visitors of the Lawrence 

University. 

Gentlemen : You •will please accept the above amount, in aid of the 
funds of the University, for an endowment, with my assurance of confidence in 
this enterprise, that it is of God, and will stand. Of this fact, I was convinced 
before I engaged in the early effort of establishing and endowing the same. 

This additional donation is now made as a further demonstration of con- 
tinued interest and confidence in the future success of this University, which 
was first established beyond the bounds of civilization. May God give long 
life and prosperity to this creature of Providence. May it never lack an able, 
energetic and discreet Board to conduct the finances, and a Faculty of high 
literary ability to give formation to a multitude of minds, that shall equal in 
usefulness any class of minds educated and elevated at any other college in 
the land, and more than meet the highest expectation of the most liberal 
donors and founders of Lawrence University. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. REEDER SMITH. 

ACTION OF THE TRUSTEES. 
To Rev. Reeder Smith. • 

Sir : I have the pleasure of transmitting to you, by the order of the Board 
of Trustees and Visitors of Lawrence University, the following Resolutions, 
which were unanimously adopted by the said Board, at their late session, 
viz. : — 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be respectfully tendered to Rev. 
Reeder Smith, of Appleton, our first Agent, for the very liberal donation 
enclosed to us, in his favor of the 15th of April, 1858, for the benefit and 
further endowment of Lawrence University, which donation, together with 
the valuable services rendered by him, in securing the site for its location, 
and other valuable donations during the infancy of the University, entitle him 
to be ranked among its best friends and most liberal benefactors. 

Resolved, That Rev. Reeder Smith be presented by the Secretary with a 
copy of the foregoing Resolution. 

JAMES M. PHIMEY, Sec. pro tern. Board of Trustees L. U. 
Appleton, July 1, 1858. 

The following letter was intended as an introduction for obtaining aid to 
rebuild : 

The bearer, Rev. Reeder Smith, of this place, by whose efficient labors, as 
the first agent, Lawrence University was established, in 1848 and 1849, is 
about to visit his friends at the East. From the deep interest felt, he has 
kindly consented to devote a little time in aiding the Trustees to rebuild the 



13 

Female and Preparatory Department of the University, which has recently 
been destroyed by fire, and without insurance. 

lie and the cau>e lie serves are affectionately commended to the confidence 
and liberalities of those, who have Doth the ability and disposition to aid in 
our present emergency. 

EDWARD COOKE, President of Lawrence University. 

Appleton, Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 1858. 

The following communication, and statement of the Trustees and Faculty, 
will show the urgency with which this Institution is now looking for aid, as 
published in the New York Christian Advocate and Journal of April 21, 1859 : 

It will be remembered by 'many, to whom the claims of the Lawrence 
University were presented last fall, and in the beginning of winter, that a 
claim tor $10,000 was presented to the public, for the purpose of rebuilding 
the Preparatory and Female Department of the University, destroyed by fire, 
and without insurance. It will also be remembered that several liberal 
amounts were donated, on condition that $1U,000 were raised, either for the 
rebuilding or for additional endowment, and, as I left the field to visit my 
family without making up the first amount named, it will be explanation 
sufficient, why the work has ceased for a time, and the amounts raised have 
not been called for, if I say I was taken ill the same week of my return home, 
and was confined to my house nearly two months. As I have now recovered, 
and intend to resume my labors East, and by the aid of Divine Providence 
carry out the undertaking, I expect to find a liberal response as well in others 
as those who have already subscribed or pledged, to meet an object so deserv- 
ing, and which commends itself so fully to the generous Christian. The noble 
heart will respond : " Let me have a share in taking up the amount proposed 
($30,000) to be raised for so glorious an object, in so vast a field, opened and 
still opening wider for religious and literary culture." This is the most desi- 
rable location for the accomplishment of a great moral, literary and religious 
work that can be found in the Mississippi Valley. Now, to prepare the liberal 
mind for the exercise of benevolence, I furnish for publication, the subjoined 
statement and opinions of the Trustees and Faculty of the University. 

TO THE GENEROUS PUBLIC. 

The Lawrence University, of Wisconsin, suffered great loss in its capacity 
to be useful when the building occupied by the preparatory and female de- 
partments was burned, having no insurance. The University must be greatly 
limited in its operations until that building is replaced. There being also an 
imperative demand for increased endowment, the trustees find themselves 
greatly embarrassed, and are unable to discharge the pressing demand upon 
them for professors' salaries and additional room, without assistance from the 
sagacious patriot and liberal Christian in the older and richer States, yet 
more than three hundred students are annually to be provided for. In this 
emergency Rev. Reeder Smith, of this place, by whose efficient agency the 



14 



Universitywas founded in 1848, has recently given a liberal donation as timely- 
aid, and now has volunteered to make an effort East to relieve this embarrass- 
ment, by raising ten thousand dollars for rebuilding, and twenty thousand 
for endowment. We, therefore, the subscribers, after acknowledging the gen- 
erous aid afforded at home and abroad, and believing there is no educational 
enterprise more important or more worthy the aid of the philanthropist, or, 
that has a stronger claim upon his benevolence, are impressed with the im- 
portance of this undertaking, and the great necessity cf the institution to the 
people of the North-west. 

We earnestly commend him and this enterprise, to the confidence and liber- 
ality of all, who can aid in the advancement of liberal education - in the West. 

M. C. DARLING, Pres't Bd. Trust. Lawrence Univ. of Wisconsin. 

EDWARD COOKE, President of Faculty. 

R. Z. MASON, Prof, of Natural Science. 

S. C. THOMAS, Agent. 

J. H. JENNE, Presiding Elder Appleton District. 

II. C. TILTON, Member of Joint Board. 
Appleton, Wisconsin, Jan. 1859. 

This article and the above statement of the Trustees and Faculty will meet 
the eye of those I shall never see in time, and commend its merit to many, 
who may desire, in making up an account for eternity, to apply the bounties 
they have in charge, where it will accomplish the greatest amount of good 
for God and his cause, in the greatest benefit to mankind. 

Believing that many on a death-bed will hail with delight an opportunity to 
leave a portion for God, invested for an endowment in this University, that, 
" though dead, they may yet speak," a person will be named soon, through the 
Advocate, to whom such contributions can be paid. 

Our beloved bishops conceived the importance and advised the establish- 
ment of this enterprise twelve years since, when Indian trails and canoes only, 
led to the place where now the city hum and college bells tell to thousands of 
the perception of that mind, which penetrated the future and determined the 
importance and utility of this undertaking. One could scarcely have sup- 
posed at that time, that twelve years would have found a population surround- 
ing the spot and spread over a country, then almost an entire wilderness, suf- 
ficient to demand a first-class university, all within one hundred miles. 

The expectations of the liberal-minded Lawrence, who ventured ten 
thousand dollars to start the project which was to bear his name, as well as 
the expectations of the friends of the honored Samuel Appleton, who, at his 
death, left ten thousand dollars for a library fund, conditioned that the place 
should bear his name, could not have conceived that, in ten years, upon these 
banks would have stood college stone walls of five stories high, with an able 
faculty, qualifying and sending out annually more teachers than any other 
Western college. 

I trust there may be found, and believe these lines will find, many who will 
see the utility of endowing this University, where the work of preparing 



15 



teachers and ministers must be carried out, to establish revolving moral lights 
as guides to the multitudes flowing hither from every nation, making a vast 
ocean of mind in this new world, the Mississippi Valley. We must say, as 
David said, " Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail 
from among the children of men." This place and University are now more of 
an honor to the names that gave honor to its birth than their fortunes or 
their sons, which may be seen in the city, described by St. John, Rev. 21, 26: 
"And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it." 

Who, now, on serious reflection, can conceive of a spot in this wide world 
where he or she could do more good, more honor to the country, glorify God 
more, and at the same time honor themselves or their posterity more, than to 
name and endow with ten thousand dollars, a chair in the Lawrence 
University ? 

Any communication on this subject, addressed to the care of Rev. T. 
Carlton, 200 Mulberry Street, N. Y., will meet with a ready response. 

In behalf of the Lawrence University of Wisconsin, 

REEDER SMITH. 



The following article from a New Bedford paper, gives a just view of the 
action and relation of Mr. Lawrence in reference to the University, and has 
an intimate connection with the above : 

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY, WISCONSIN. 

This University was named in honor of Hon. A. A. Lawrence, and the 
city where it is located in honor of Hon. S. Appleton, both of Boston, who 
are its founders. It has lately met with a great loss by fire, in the destruction 
of the buildings occupied by the Female and Preparatory Department; which 
loss is sought to be replaced with additional endowment from the East. This 
is a claim which ought to be met. 

We quote from the Boston Zion's Herald and Journal, of May 25, the fol- 
lowing article by a correspondent, for the information of the benevolent, 
which article is valuable for its suggestion and information on this subject: 

Mr. Editor : — If it would not be considered out of place, for one having 
partiality for New England, and for the reading of your paper, to make a 
suggestion relative to an article that appeared in the Christian Advocate and 
Journal, asking endowment, &c, for the Lawrence University, to be paid over 
to, and conditions concluded with, some one who will be named through the 
Advocate, I would ask, who could be selected with more propriety than Hon. 
Amos A. Lawrence, of Boston,* who, in that same article, is acknowledged to 
have been first in proposing and giving $10,000 to establish the University, 
when it must have been to a mind of common perception, a hazardous ex- 
periment. It is also admitted in the article, that Hon. Samuel Appleton, 

* We reply no one, if his already extended and continued aid will not prevent his 
consenting. Hon. A. A. Lawrence will be the first in the choice of all interested. 



16 

near of kin, at least by marriage, gave $10,000 soon after. It is stated by 
that writer, at the time those donations were proposed, that " Indian trails and 
car oes only, led ,to the place where now the city hum and college bells tell 
to thousands of the perception of that mind that penetrated the future and 
determined the importance and utility of the undertaking." He farther says, 
" I believe now, many will see the utility of endowing this University, where 
the work of preparing teachers and ministers must be carried out, where 
multitudes are flowing in from every nation, making a vast ocean of mind in 
this new world, the Mississippi Valley ;" and adds, " I believe many on a death 
bed will hail with delight an opportunity to leave a portion for God, invested 
for endowment in this University, that ' though dead, they may yet speak.' 
Who, now, on serious reflection, can conceive of a spot where he or she could 
do more good, more honor their country, glorify God more, and at the same 
time honor themselves or their posterity more, than to name and endow with 
$10,000 or $20,000 a chair in the Lawrence University ? " I add a few ex- 
tracts from an article in a late number of your paper, written from Milwaukie, 
showing the great fitness of the location, as well as the success of the under- 
taking conceived by Mr. Lawrence, which states, " An inland navigation for 
steamers, connecting the St. Lawrence River with the Gulf of Mexico, is now 
open, through which steamers and sailing vessels pass and repass the Univer- 
sity to those points." 

It is upon this thoroughfare through the very heart of Wisconsin, connecting 
the Mississippi with the Lakes, that this University is found. The pupils have 
averaged, since its commencement, from 245 to 445 a year. The college 
proper was organized in 1853. It has graduated two classes and furnished 
sixty-five teachers for the State, and four clergymen. It must be seen that 
the Lawrence University has already made itsdfa" power in the State." 
Those who have contributed to its establishment and support may rest assured 
of having bestowed their funds upon a worthy and useful institution. There 
are now four distinct departments in operation, taught by a united and able 
faculty, who work on small salaries, and sometimes have their faith and 
patience tried in getting the pittance allowed them by the Trustees. But 
they work under a conviction of duty in doing a great work for the great 
West. 

Now who will take better care of a child than his own parent? We are 
assured that Mr. Lawrence has no interest in any real estate anywhere in 
Wisconsin. If his sagacity and benevolent-e, as indicated above, are correctly 
stated, no one could be named so appropriately to give confidence to donors 
to the Lawrence University, as its projector and first donor, to receive be- 
quests of those wishing to do the greatest good with their benevolence. 

A. K. HATHAWAY. 

Medford, Mass. 



17 

A PLEA IN BEHALF OF LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY, OF WIS- 
CONSIN, 1859. 

This University, founded in 1848, was named in honor of Hon. A. A. 
Lawrence, and the city where it is located, in memory of Hon. Samuel Ap- 
pleton, who were the founders of the University. 

This educator of the West was giving instruction to three hundred and 
thirty students, when the blighting element of fire took away the buildings 
occupied by the Female and Preparatory Department, at a time when two 
hundred of the students belonged to that department. This loss must be 
made up from the East. 

It will be seen by the able and distinguished men who have combined with 
Messrs. Lawrence and Appleton, by their high approval of the establishment 
of the Lawrence University of Wisconsin, that it must have been a well con- 
ceived undertaking. Farther and recent endorsements, show the continued 
confidence of the public, from which we quote : — 

Ex- Gov. H. Seymour, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1858, says, I look upon the Law- 
rence University as an institution having the highest claims upon our liberal 
citizens. 

St. George's Rectory, Oct. 12, 1858. 

I have examined the claim of the Lawrence University, lately suffering a 
heavy loss in the burning of one of its buildings, for which the Rev. Reeder 
Smith is now soliciting aid. I am well satisfied that it is a worthy claim 
upon the liberal cooperation of the people of the East. 

STEPHEN H. TYNG. 

Trinity-Buildings, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1858. 

Having made several visits to the city of Appleton, I have become ac- 
quainted with the affairs of the Lawrence University at that place. 

The average attendance of students previous to the fire which consumed 
one of its buildings, was over three hundred. 

The University ought, by all means, to be sustained, for it is a necessity to 
the people of the North-west, and it is impossible to estimate its beneficial 
influence. 

I know of no educational enterprise more important or more worthy the 
sympathy and assistance of the sagacious patriot or benevolent Christian. 

HIRAM BARNEY. 

Bishop E. S. Janes answers to a letter of inquiry : 

New l r ORK, Oct. 28, 1858. 
Rev. R. Smith, 

Dear Sir, — You ask my opinion of Lawrence University. I have ever 
believed, and still firmly believe it to be a much needed and important liter- 
ary enterprise. * * * * I know of no collegiate institution that, in so 
short a period, has educated more students or gained a higher reputation. 

The University suffered great loss when the building occupied by the Pre- 
paratory and Female Departments was burned. * * * I hope soon to 
see a new building erected, and some two or three more Professorships en- 
3 



18 

dowed, when I should anticipate for Lawrence University a future of unsur- 
passed literary, moral and religious usefulness. 

I must think that services rendered, or moneys contributed to sustain and 
further the interests of the University, promise as large and as beneficent 
results to others, and as much reward to the contributors, as in any other sim- 
ilar direction. Very truly yours, E. S. JANES. 

Having spent two years in Appleton, Wis., as Pastor of the M. E. church 
in that city (during which time the buildings of the Preparatory Department 
of Lawrence University were consumed by fire) and having a personal knowl- 
edge of the University and the absolute necessity for the rebuilding of the 
Department destroyed, I take pleasure in commending to the favor of a 
benevolent public, said University and its agent, Rev. Reeder Smith, as wor- 
thy of their confidence and liberality. 

W. McDONALD, Pastor Trinity M. E. Church, Providence, R. I. 
June 4th, 1859. 

We concur in the above commendation. 

GEO. M. CARPENTER, Presiding Elder of Providence District. 
E. O. HAVEN, Ed. of Zion's Herald. 

LORANUS CROWELL, Presiding Elder of Boston District. 
Boston, June 9, 1859. 

I am satisfied, from a careful examination of papers produced by the Rev. 
Reeder Smith, that the Lawrence University of Wisconsin deserves the lib- 
eral patronage of the friends of education. It has already, in the few years 
of its existence, accomplished great things, and only needs larger funds and 
increased accommodations, in order to its becoming one of the most important 
centres of Christian light and knowledge in our western country. 

THOMAS M. CLARK, Bishop of Prot. Ep. Ch. of R. I. 
Providence, R. L, June 4, 1859. 

I fully concur in the sentiments expressed by Bishop Clark. 

A. H. CLAPP, Pastor of Beneficent Cong'l Church. 
Providence, R. L, June 6, 1859. 

St. Paul's Rectory, Brookline, June 7, 1859. 
I heartily concur in the above opinion of Bishop Clark. 

JOHN S. STONE. 

I fully concur with Bishop Clark in commending the Lawrence University 

of Wisconsin to the confidence and liberality of the public. 

JAMES WALKER, Pres't of Harvard College. 
Cambridge, June 10, 1859. 

Boston, Jan. 10, 1859. 
Rev. Reeder Smith is an agent of the Lawrence University, and is solicit- 
ing aid for that Institution, to which he has himself contributed largely. 
From all the information which I have received, I am led to regard it as well 
entitled to the patronage of the friends of good learning, in whatever part of 
the country. EDWARD EVERETT. 



19 



I concur with Bishop Clark and President Walker, in recommending the 
Lawrence University to the liberality of the public. 

BARNAS SEARS, Pres't of Brown University. 
Providence, R. I, Jan. 11, 1859. 

My blessing upon the enterprise. 
Cambridge, June 10, 1859. CHAS. LOWELL. 

I fully concur with the foregoing. ISAAC P. LANGWORTHY, 

Chelsea, June 14, 1859. Cor. Sec. Cong. Union. 

The importance of this subject upon which I address you forbids apology, 
of which you must be convinced from the preceding statements. The deep 
responsibility of a moral agent to an unseen being, who gives or withholds 
His blessing upon our exertions to enrich or impoverish, as seemeth good to 
Him, prompts in every heart the inquiry, How shall the high claims of Heaven 
best be met by me ? Man is the noble work of God, and his elevated position, 
inherent or acquired, only makes him more like God, and, in the same pro- 
portion as his ability approximates to God, it becomes his delight to bring, by 
his means, his or their fellow beings up to an elevation of rank fitted for the 
best associations on earth, and for the consummation of that bliss designed for 
the participation of God, angels and men made perfect. This is mostly done 
by educating, and you are called upon to second an effort commenced to 
accomplish much of this, by its well-known first benefactors. The sagacity 
and benevolence of these elevated minds, induced them to appropriate 
$10,000 each, to meet the wants of a country that was then a wilderness, but 
soon to be occupied by millions, destined either to rise or sink in the scale of 
being, just in proportion as instrumentalities were provided by such noble 
philanthropists. These generous benefactions of 1848 have been combined 
with others in the establishment of the Lawrence University, at Appleton, 
Wisconsin. 

This University was organized in 1853, has graduated two classes, furnished 
sixty-five teachers and four ministers, with an annual average of students from 
245 to 445. There are now four distinct Departments, taught by a united 
and able Faculty, who work on small salaries, but, under a conviction of duty 
in doing a great work for the great West. 

Of its location, I quote from a Milwaukie writer, as follows : " This Univer- 
sity is 200 miles from the North-Western, and 225 from the Hamline Univer- 
sity. There is no institution of its grade, or likely to be, within a circle of 
200 miles, and there is already a population within 100 miles sufficient to 
furnish pupils for a first class University, and increasing with almost incon- 
ceivable rapidity." 

We ask, who, but the man whose heart prompted him to benefit man as 
God benefits, out of true greatness, would have grasped the future and pro- 
posed such an undertaking, where savage canoes and trails then only led the 
traveller, but now an inland navigation is opened through the very heart of 
Wisconsin, passing the College, through which steamers pass daily in their 
trips from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Lawrence ? 

" It must be seen that this University has already made itself, and must 
ever remain, ' a power in this State.' Those who have contributed to its 



20 



establishment and support, may rest assured of having bestowed their funds 
upon a most worthy and useful enterprise." The pressing want of this Uni- 
versity is money. The Preparatory and Female Department, when giving 
instruction to more than two hundred students, was destroyed by fire, with- 
out insurance. This whole enterprise is crippled at a time when all in the 
West, who have a heart to help this great educator, have upon their hands, 
for erection of churches and support of the Gospel, all they can carry. We 
come, now, to the benevolent in the East, where the sun always has arisen, to 
afford light and relief, and give you an opportunity of uniting your hearts and 
efforts in the relief of this noble undertaking. To you, then, whom God has 
blessed with an elevation above your fellows, and who have in your hands 
the power to relieve, as well as to join your sympathies in a work commenced 
by others, and left for you to have the honor of carrying out. To you God 
has entrusted the future safety of the mighty West. You have the means in 
your hands ; are they yours ? If so, will you long possess these means ? To 
what object will your estate, small or great, be applied by the hands that are 
waiting only for yours to hecome cold in death, to riot upon your estate as 
worms will upon your tender flesh, that has so long encased a kind heart, 
throbbing in unison with the heart of Jesus, and with Him, delighted to 
relieve a world from woe. Ships driven before a storm, cannot escape the 
reefs without a compass, neither can the people of this or of other lands, 
escape threatened ruin, without your aid. " Europe is pouring into this 
fairest portion of our earth, a flood of rationalism ; it can only be met and 
overthrown by the united and unyielding efforts of the enlightened Christian. 
Here is the battle ground. The hour of conflict is upon us. The hosts of 
Satan are marching upon us in three distinct divisions, the Papal, the rational 
and the sensual. Who will furnish the munitions of war ? The mighty West 
must be educated. If Christianity does not do it, through her literary insti- 
tutions, Infidelity will." All schools and universities cost money, and have 
been committed to the care of some individuals. Is not this University a 
light already burning in this immense field, designed of God to give direction 
to millions, through all succeeding generations? You are called upon to 
maintain this light. 

You ask, " What shall 1 do ? " " Give and it shall be given unto you ; 
good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall 
men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, 
it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6 : 38. We answer, " Give of 
your means to the Lawrence University." If you can, give $10,000 to 
rebuild, and let the Normal and Female Institute be your foster-child, and 
bear your name; or, endow with $10,000 or $20,000 a chair, that shall be 
sustained by you, to perpetuate your name and send lights to other lands and 
seas. But, if you cannot do either, do not say, " This does not reach me." 
Remember, " there is that that scattereth and yet increaseth ; and there is 
that that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." But, as 
the rich, who cast into the treasury of the Lord, did not deprive the poor 
widow of securing her Lord's approbation by giving her mites, so in this ; 
give more to aid this cause, in proportion to your means and the nature of 
this great work. It must be done, and it is God's claim. The silver is mine, 



21 



and the gold is mine, saith the Lord. Will you respond according to your 
means ? If the rich should heap treasure together for the last days, (James 
5 : 3,) and leave their riches to eat their souls to all eternity, as doth a canker, 
you will have the privilege of doing good by aiding, even at a sacrifice, with 
which God is well pleased. 

Listen, then, to the appeal of one, by whose agency the location was se- 
lected and this University founded in 1848, who penetrated with his family 
in mid-winter from New England, and endured the privations of a settlement 
where the white man's home had never been, or God's worship observed ; 
who saw the first college-building erected and then enwrapped in flames ; 
who has given of his own means, and would prefer, were it in his power, to 
give the whole amount to soliciting it from others ; yet, as a parent will insist 
upon providing relief and support for a suffering child, I must insist upon 
obtaining from your benevolence, relief and support to this most worthy 
cause ; and believe, when you understand its merit and importance, and 
afford relief, you will be as grateful for the opportunity of relieving as will be 
the grateful heart that is relieved by your benevolence. I hope you will not 
say, as is often said, " We have calls nearer home that must first be met." 
This urgent call is now nearest you — it is conversing with you — God has 
brought it to your door, and is applying it to your heart. Do not say, " Go 
thou and be warmed, or go thy way for this time," but now give your aid in 
this relief; the present belongs to you, the future to God ; you may not live 
to apply your aid to this or any other object; and to what could your money 
be applied to accomplish as much ? Should you live, you may never have 
the means again that you possess to-day. " What thou doest, do quickly." 
" Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days." 
" Blessed are ye that sow by the side of all waters." If you cannot give 
$10,000, you can give $10, and say, " Of thine own have we given thee ; " 
1 Chron. 29 : 14 ; which God will as soon approve as the giving of large 
amounts by those of large wealth. As drops help make up the ocean, so 
you can help make up $30,000, which amount must be obtained. 

Most respectfully, REEDER SMITH. 

Any remittance for this object, or any communication addressed to Rev. 
S. K. Lothrop, D.D., No. 12 Chestnut street, Boston, or to Rev. Thomas Carl- 
ton, No. 200 Mulberry street, N. Y., will have prompt attention in conformity 
to the wishes of any responding to this appeal. And, as Hon. A. A. Law- 
rence is recommended to receive bequests or endowments in New England, 
I would, for the Middle States, propose Hiram Barney, Esq., Trinity build- 
ings, N. Y. From either of these honorable gentlemen, forms of bequests or 
conditions of endowment, can be had and concluded at pleasure ; or with the 
President of the University. 

Eccle. 11:6. In the evening withhold not thy hand. 

Prov. 11 : 25. The liberal soul shall be made fat. 

The following letter from Dr. Lothrop will show that he has been interested 
from its commencement : — 



22 

Boston, June 13, 1859. 
Rev. Reeder Smith : 

Dear Sir, — I am happy to comply with your request, and bear my testi- 
mony in behalf , of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, — an institu- 
tion in which I have felt much interest from its first inception in the mind of 
Mr. Lawrence and his gift of $10,000, in 1848. During the last five or six 
years, as Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among 
the Indians, a portion of the funds has been annually appropriated to the 
education of Indian youth, of the Oneida tribe, at the Lawrence University. 

I have had opportunity, through the Reports of the President, Rev. Dr. 
Cooke, to become well acquainted with the character of the Institution, and 
to receive manifold evidences of its usefulness among all classes. 

I regret the severe loss it sustained in the destruction of one of its build- 
ings by fire ; and feel, from the manner in which this Institution is conducted, 
and its great importance in the large and growing State in which it is situ- 
ated, that it has a strong claim upon the friends of education, throughout the 
country, and ought to have that loss made up to it. 
Very respectfully yours, 

S. K. LOTHROP. 



The following extracts are introduced to show the accessibilities and ad- 
vantages of the country, over which the University is to exert an iniluence : — 

IMPROVEMENT COMPANY'S REPORT. 

The navigation of the Lower Fox, from Green Bay to Lake Winnebago, 
was opened in June, 1856. . . . During the season of 1858, steamboats 
have made their regular trips daily from Green Bay to Oshkosh and Fond 
du Lac, also from Oshkosh to Berlin. . . . Navigation was opened on the 
12th of April, and closed on the 29th of November, making seven and a half 
months, which is nearly one month more than the navigation of the N. Y. 
canals. . . . The increase of business for 1858 over 1857 has been about 
forty per cent, notwithstanding the hard pressure of the times and the short 
crop of 1858. With the line perfected to the Mississippi river, the business 
must, in a short time, be increased to an almost incalculable amount. 

This channel of commerce, at some future day, must be to this State, to a 
great extent, what the Erie Canal has been to the State of New York, and 
whoever looks at it with an impartial eye must come to this conclusion. 

The capacity of the improvement will exceed that of the enlarged Erie 
Canal of the State of New York. Our locks are 160 feet by 35 feet, while 
those are only 110 feet by 18 feet. AVe can use boats 144 feet long by 34 feet 
wide, while they can use boats only 97 feet long and 174; feet wide. W r e use 
steam power altogether, and can run our boats from 5 to 10 miles per hour, 
while they use horse power, and only average 1£ miles. They are now ex- 
perimenting with steam, in order to adapt it to their purposes, by which they 
hope to double their speed ; and the results are such that the people begin to 



23 

think that a new era is about to dawn on their prospects, and they are almost 
insane on the subject. 

DANIEL C. JENNE. 

Chief Engineer and Superintendent. 
Appleton, January 7th, 1859. 

POSITION OF APPLETON, FROM APPLETON CRESCENT. 

Its Water Power. — Forty-nine feet fall in a distance of a mile and a 
quarter. 

Its Country. — The business mart of a vast region of the choicest 
timbered farming and grazing lands, well watered, and abundantly supplied 
with superior building stone. 

Its Commercial Facilities. — Equal to the best point on the Fox or 
Wisconsin, it being on the direct line of the internal steam navigation of the 
State, and but 30 miles by water from Green Bay, the great harbor of Lake 
Michigan. 

Its Railroad Prospects. — Superior to any city or town north of Mil- 
waukie. It is on the direct line of the Main Trunk Railway from Chicago to 
Lake Superior, and is the first point on Fox River, which will be reached by 
the cars from the great iron and copper mines, and slate and marble quarries 
of the great North- West. It will also soon be connected by direct lines of 
railroad with the Wolf and Upper Wisconsin, with Manitowoc, Sheboygan, 
Ozaukee, and Milwaukie, and with our own great natural port of entry, 
Green Bay — thus making it the railroad centre of North-Eastern Wisconsin. 

CORRESPONDENCE OF MILWAUKIE SENTINEL, OF FEB. 15, 1856. 

Lawrence University. — This popular collegiate school was chartered 
in 1847-8, as Lawrence Institute, and was changed in 1849 to Lawrence Uni- 
versity, the name by which it is now so widely known. Rev. Reeder Smith, 
an esteemed minister of the M. E. Church, and who had been designated by 
Conference as well as by Mr. Lawrence, to explore the country and locate a 
Collegiate Institution, under an endowment from Mr. Lawrenee of $10,000, 
took up his residence in the wilderness where Appleton is now located. He 
had endured hardships and privations, and toils and cares, in maturing a plan 
for carrying out the wishes of Mr. Lawrence in founding an institution of 
learning which not only should be an honor to its originator, but an important 
element in building up a large and influential denomination of Christians, and 
a lasting benefit to the rising generation. 

The Preparatory Department went into operation in the fall of 1849, occu- 
pying a building 70 x 30 feet, four stories high, and was continued as a very 
respectable academy until the arrival from the east of Rev. Edward Cook, 
D. D., as President, May, 1853. In that year the present college building 
was commenced, and the cap stone was laid in May 27, 1854. This building 
is the largest and best of the kind in the West. It is one hundred and twenty 
feet long, sixty feet wide, and five stories high, and contains a chapel capable 
of seating 1,000 people, seven public rooms, for class and lecturing purposes, 



24 



a library and reading room, cabinet rooms, two literary society rooms, and 
thirty-three private rooms for Professors and Teachers. The walls are of com- 
pact limestone, obtained from the bed of the river. It is warmed throughout 
from furnaces ill the basement. The whole cost of the building was not far 
from S3 0,0 00. 

The Faculty consists of the President and five Professors and Teachers. 
The Library is made up of the choicest selections from every department of 
literature, and contains three thousand volumes, with a fund of $10,000 from 
the estate of the late Samuel Appleton, of Boston, Mass., obtained through 
the application of Reeder Smith's agency, for the increase of the library. 

The literary character of the University stands the brightest, by far, of any 
in the State, and is to-day exerting a wider influence in disseminating knowl- 
edge than any similar institution in the West. It has a Freshman, Sophomore 
and Junior class in the college proper, and corresponding classes, numbering 
nearly as many more, in the Ladies College. 

From a short acquaintance with President Cooke, I judge him to be just the 
man for the place. Possessing a remarkably fine intellectual organization, a 
well balanced mind, and a temperament indicating decision of purpose, affable 
in his bearing and courteous and gentlemanly in his address, he seems to be 
well calculated to be placed at the head of so popular an institution. 

Appleton is situated on the west bank of the Fox — a noble stream, and is 
the county seat of Outagamie county. It is one hundred miles north west- 
erly of Milvvaukie, and thirty miles south of Green Bay. The site of the 
town is truly romantic, standing sixty feet above the water's edge, with pre- 
cipitous banks, high bluffs, and deep ravines^ covered with scrub oaks, tall 
hickories and beautiful evergreens; and the sparkling waters of the Fox river 
flu- below, dashing madly onwards over rocky precipices, throwing up copious 
showers of spray which, congealing in the frosty atmosphere, and glistening 
in the sun's rays, present a lovely panoramic view to an admirer of the beau- 
tiful in nature. 

Seldom, if ever, has it been my good fortune to visit a place so admirably 
combining all the necessary elements of commercial prosperity as may be 
found in this locality. There are so many choice, romantic spots along the 
high bluiFs, and on the pinnacles cut through with deep ravines, covered with 
the native forest trees, for fine residences, and so many broad avenues for 
trade and commerce, combined and backed up by the most extensive water 
power in the whole West, all must conspire to make this point one of the most 
desirable in the North-west for a permanent residence. The capacity of the 
water power here is forty-nine and a half feet fall in a distance of one and a 
quarter miles, with a width of seventy rods, and the rise and fall of the river 
never exceeding three feet. So, it may be seen, when it is also known that 
the river here has a smooth, rocky bottom, that mills may be multiplied ad in- 
finitum, yet the water power will not be exhausted. It is ample for all pur- 
poses to which the ingenuity of man may bend it, at all seasons, and if prop- 
erly improved in the hands of skillful capitalists, will form a basis for a pros- 
perous town as firm as its own rocky bed. A. II. B. 



